When children lack respect, relationships suffer. Disrespect
can be hurtful and embarrassing. It’s important to teach
children to be respectful in words and actions toward parents,
other adults, and even toward each other.

Respect focuses
acting in a kind and humble way when interacting with others. It includes things like manners, greetings, and proper
conversation techniques. Children need to learn how to
show respect in practical terms so clearly define what
is appropriate and what is not.

At the same time you teach about respect,
be sure to also teach children about honor. We say that
respect is external and shows good behavior, but honor
comes from the heart. It’s a way of showing value to others.
Honoring goes beyond respect behavior. Because it's so
important in family life, we have developed a curriculum
about honor. The book Say
Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, in
You and Your Kids teaches children
that honor treats people as special, does more than what’s
expected and has a good attitude. Honor changes people
because it focuses on the heart. The CD series, Say
Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, in
You and Your Kids contains recordings of eight live
seminars taught by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller,
RN, BSN, teaching about honor. The children’s program called The
Kids Honor Club is for children ages 3-12. It contains
Bible stories, crafts, games, and activities teaching children
how to live out honor in very practical terms.

Many parents find it quite difficult to focus only on
respect and wish their children would change on the inside.
That’s why teaching about honor is so important.

Some children need more than just a positive approach
however. Disrespect often needs to be met with a good correction
plan. If that’s the case in your home, you’re likely going
to need a number of tools that lead to true repentance.
When it comes to correction we would recommend the Heart
Work Training Manuals and CDs.This kit contains eight
lessons for parents, all focused on heart-based parenting.
Three of the lessons address correction and provide you
with specific strategies that will prompt heart change,
not just behavior change. In particular, you’ll want to
listen to the CD and work through the workbook entitled
A
Toolbox of Consequences. It contains seven categories
of consequences and gives you specific ideas for using
them to change the heart.

Children who have a problem with disrespect often have
problems with anger and a bad
attitude as well. Look for
ways to address these challenges. Don’t just ignore them.
A child’s heart is so important and requires persistent
training in order to develop in the right direction.